EP0329649B1

EP0329649B1 - Elastic yielding method of the arm in spectacle frames

Info

Publication number: EP0329649B1
Application number: EP87902690A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Caterino Curto; Gianantonio Longo
Original assignee: Faoms SNC Di Curto & Longo
Current assignee: Faoms SNC Di Curto & Longo
Priority date: 1986-10-20
Filing date: 1987-04-09
Publication date: 1991-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 2007-04-09
Also published as: SU1678218A3; FI891878A; DK335588D0; IT1221195B; DK335588A; EP0329649A1; WO1988002870A1; DE3774714D1; NO882699L; US4995713A; JPH02501165A; IT8682585A0; ATE69655T1; BR8707842A; FI891878A0; AU7302787A; AU606338B2; NO882699D0

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/IT87/00032 Sec. 371 Date Apr. 11, 1989 Sec. 102(e) Date Apr. 11, 1989 PCT Filed Apr. 9, 1987 PCT Pub. No. WO88/02870 PCT Pub. Date Apr. 21, 1988.Spectacle frame comprising a lens retaining portion (A) with lateral extensions (A') allowing flexible articulation of the side arms (C), characterized in that said extensions (A') are hollow and open in the direction of the side arms (C), each side arm (C) being provided with a connection part (B) having an internal transverse slot (3). Each side arm is provided with an S-shaped spring (1) that forms hooks (1', 1'') at each end, the first end (1') being insertable into slot (3) of connection part (B), while the other end (1'') is insertable into hollow extension (A'), which is so formed as to allow articulation of arms (C).

Description

The following invention relates to spectacle frames. The innovation finds particular and convenient application in spectacle frames allowing elastic yielding of the arms during the use of the spectacles and when the arms are folded.
In the present state of the art there is a plurality of devices that allow the elastic yielding of the arm. These are divided substantially into three types:

devices for elastic yielding which are incorporated into the hinges of the arm of the spectacle frame,
arms provided with traditional hinges and separate devices for elastic yielding, and finally,
arms provided likewise with known hinges and using simple elastic parts interposed between the elements that constitute the rod of the arm, particularly the one found in the plastic rod (see the Italian patent application 83501 A/83 in the name of the same applicant, filed on 15.11.1983, entitled "Flexible spectacle arm whose length can be regulated with incorporated hinge and relative frame and spectacles"). This solution substantially incorporates in the arm the hinge whose hinging pin is connected by elastic traction spring means to the end of the arm.

The disadvantages according to the above solutions consist in that nearly all the devices of elastic yielding, particularly those provided with a separate hinge group, involve the use of different elements, which are often complex and of difficult form and besides of noteable cost. Furthermore, breakage even only of one element necessitates the substitution of the whole arm. Another disadvantage is that when the spectacles are not used and the arms are not folded, they project outward, which may lead to a damage of the spectacles.
US-A-3531190 makes use of a sole and unique flexible member connected between the end of each arm and a corresponding lateral extension of the front frame for ensuring both said normal and said extra-pivoting - But in said US, the flexible member is not an S-shaped spring forming a hook at each end. Besides, one end of the flexible member in said US is pivotably attached to the arm end by means of a pivot (and not inserted in a transverse slot as in the present invention, whilst the other end is permanently attached to the lateral extension of the front frame (and not removably insertable in an open cavity of such extension as in the present invention, whereby preventing an easy substitution of the flexible member.
GB-A-317689 proposes to use a connection spring to enable the side arms to be bent beyond the normal position. However, separate pivots are used for closing the frame.
The aim of the following invention is to obviate the above-mentioned disadvantages.
The following invention as claimed in claim 1 remedies these problems.
The advantages obtained by this solution consist essentially in the simplification and reduction of the number of elements, in increasing the proficiency of the elasticity characteristics, and in facilitating the putting on of the spectacles and the closure of the arms. Finally the solution enables an easy substitution of the elastic spring or of the arm, respectively.
One preferable embodiment is shown in the drawings whose details are not to be seen as limitative but only illustrative.
Figure 1 represents a schematic front view of a spectacle frame; figure 2 represents a plan view of the spectacle frame as shown in figure 1 representing the yielding-hinging system of the arm; figure 3 represents an enlarged plan sectional view of the arm's hinge ; figure 4 represents a lateral view. The above-mentioned figures disclose a spectacle frame A provided with two lateral extensions A′ and two arms C. Each arm C comprises a metallic end connecting part B in a parallelepiped form which is provided on the inside with a transversal slot 3. The slot 3 in the arm B is formed in proximity to the respective end edge 4 that terminates orthogonally. On the inner side ot the extension A′, whose form is also parallelepiped, (which extension A′ is hollow and openin in the direction of the arm) a similar slot seat 2 is provided. An S-shaped spring 1 is formed in such a way that its hook end 1′ can be inserted in the slot 3 of the arm C, while the other hook end 1˝ is engaged in the hollow extension A′, with its extremity 1˝ abuting in said seat slot 2. The S-shaped spring is encased in the extension A′ nearly in contact with the lateral walls and being shaped to an "U", allowing the end 1˝ to engage into the slot 2. The inner part of the lateral extension A′ is removed to allow the connection part B of the respective arm C to rotate in inside direction.
A light pressure on the arm C towards the outside results in the flexion and stretching of the spring 1, whereas the arm can be freely rotated in inside direction because the hook end 1′ of the spring (1) is inserted in the end groove 3.
Naturally, other details of the embodiment may vary without changing the scope of protection as claimed in the characteristing parts of the following claims.

Claims

1. A spectacle frame comprising a lens retaining portion (A) with lateral extensions (A′) allowing flexible articulation of the side arms (C), characterised in that said extensions (A′) are hollow and open in the direction of the side arms (C), each side arm (C) being provided with a connection part (B) having an internal transverse slot (3), and in that, for each side arm, a S-shaped spring (1) is provided, thereby forming a hook (1′, 1˝) at each end, the first end (1′) being inserted into said slot (3) of connection part (B) while the other end (1˝) is inserted into said hollow extension (A′), said extension (A′) being formed to allow articulation of said arms (C).

2. A frame as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said second end (1˝) of the connection spring (1) is "U" shaped with one extremity abuting in a respective inside propping seat ( 2 ) of said extension (A′).